We were a little behind schedule and left an hour later than planned. We had decided against plan A which was a visit to Avebury to break our journey to Winchester. We didn’t want to rush the visit. As we journeyed south we also shelved plan B which was to visit a National Trust property called The Vyne because we decided there wasn’t enough time to do that justice either. After stopping at Warwick services to buy sandwiches from Waitrose, which we ate in the car we moved on to plan C.
We stopped in a town called Newbury and enjoyed a cup of tea by the side of the river whilst watching the swans and narrow boats. After our cuppa we went for a stroll around the town and visited St. Nicholas Church before resuming our journey.
As we approached the hotel a fire engine we followed a fire engine with a rotating platform. It turned off before arrived at the hotel car park. On arrival at the car park the attendant booked us in and advised us that there were currently no spaces and that we should try the staff car park just around the corner. If that was full we were to come back as a few cars were just about to leave. There were no spaces on the staff car park but we found the fire engine with its rotating platform parked up outside. We drove back to the hotel and managed to find an awkward space and wiggle into it. As we did this a standard fire engine drove past us in the direction of the Cathedral.
We checked in and went to find our room with a view over the Cathedral grounds. On entering our ‘Room with a View’ we noticed the fire engine with the rotating platform fully extending and performing some activity in relation to the Cathedral building. There were firemen everywhere. After this bit of excitement we fetched the bags out of the car and unpacked before going out for dinner in Loch Fyne.
After the meal Mr C was drawn by the sound of music coming from inside one of the local pubs. The entrance was up an alley way and it didn’t have a good feel (to me) so I held back and stepped aside to let one of the locals come past me. He helped us find the kind of pub that Mr C was really looking for. It was called ‘The Oak’ and its claim to fame was being the oldest pub in England…
When we arrived at the hotel earlier in the day, I started experiencing an excruciating pain in the top upper part of my back if I twisted in the wrong direction. This had got worse over the evening and I was hoping it was going to have recovered by the morning… I think it had been brought on when I was adjusting the seat as we set off in the morning. Mr C had suddenly accelerated causing the car seat to shoot backwards…
I always thought (since forever) that The ‘Trip to Jerusalem’ was the oldest pub. Wiki says so too … with a qualification that upward of 20 pubs lay claim too.
I had to Google the ‘Trip to Jerusalem’. I recognised the photo and remembered the mother of my nephews pointing that pub out to me many years ago.
York also lays claims on many of its pubs, I recall one that claimed to be the most haunted pub in York!
I love Winchester. It was at an hotel there,having scones and tea in the most delightful garden,years back, I turned to mum and said,”Cherie would love to be here with her camera!” Did your hotel have a fabulous garden with chairs and tables?
Nothing like a bad back to ruin a getaway!
The hotel didn’t have a garden, it looked out over the Cathedral grounds. I didn’t realise it was Winchester where you had that experience with your Mum.
I really enjoyed my stay in Winchester
Yes, the hotel(whose name I can’t recall-maybe The Royal Winchester Hotel lol) was on the high street,near the court buildings. Was the cathedral near there? I saw it,but can’t recall now.
The garden was like a grassy(huge) courtyard that was a surprising delight in the middle of the city. An oasis that was almost a secret garden. It reminded me of you because I knew that you would have loved it and taken great pics. We were there in July(2010) so everything was in bloom!
The court buildings were a little trek away near the place where the round table is housed?
I am not sure…
The only huge courtyard I saw was around the military buildings and museums. There was no grass there, but the courtyard centre had a lovely fountain.
I think you and Mr. C are as bad/good as Astrid and I are, Cherry, in getting out-n-about. We are so lucky, aren’t we! But I do hope by now your back is totally back to normal?!
We certainly like our adventures. My back was completely better when I woke up the day after we visited Avebury.
Glad you enjoyed your visit and that your back has repaired, you have my complete sympathy,
Di xx
Thank you, I am quite sure my pain was nothing compared to what you have to put up with xx
What a nice start to your visit and a lovely room. I hope your back was better.
It was a nice room with a nice view. But the Salisbury Mercure still gets my vote as the best in that chain that I have visited in the UK.
Wow, that’s an awesome view of the Fire Engine through the trees.
I’ve never been to Winchester before so looking forward to this series … passing through the station on the train 27 years ago doesn’t count
Had I managed to get a specific friday off work next month I would have repeated that feat
I know you would love Winchester
I think perhaps the Fire Engine view was a one of opportunity 